The Lord Mayor of Belfast and Miss Northern Ireland, Meagan Green are just two of the high profile names that will help to paint the town purple next month, when Belfast City Hall hosts a glamorous charity ball in aid of Northern Ireland Hospice.
The glitzy Violet Ball, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir will take place on Saturday March 29 at Belfast City Hall and will include an exclusive live performance by one of Ireland’s most successful singers, Brian Kennedy.
Organised by the NI Hospice’s Belfast to Boston Marathon team, who will run the Boston Marathon this April in aid of the charity, it is hoped the Ball will raise over £25,000 to go towards the building of a new state of the art adult hospice at Somerton Road, Belfast.
Guests at the event hosted by the Lord Mayor will include Miss Northern Ireland, Meagan Green, Olympic gold medallist Dame Mary Peters and boxing legend Barry McGuigan, to name but a few.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has been a strong supporter of Northern Ireland Hospice during his year in office. Commenting on the plans for the gala event, he said:
“The Violet Ball is shaping up to be a fantastic evening and I am very much looking forward to hosting the event at Belfast City Hall, which will be a suitably grand setting for such an occasion.
“This charity has supported so many families throughout Belfast and the Violet Ball is a great opportunity to give something back to this wonderful organisation, as it strives to raise vital funds to rebuild its adult hospice at Somerton Road.”
The Violet Ball will begin with a drinks reception at 7pm, sponsored by Samuel Adams Boston Lager and healthy energy drink ‘Little Big Shot’, followed by a four course dinner in Belfast City Hall’s Great Hall and a headline performance from Brian Kennedy. Popular Belfast venue, The John Hewitt will run a bar for the evening.
A charity auction and ballot on the night will see a range of fantastic items up for grabs, including a guitar donated by Snow Patrol and high value pieces of boxing, rugby and golf memorabilia, which will be auctioned in aid of NI Hospice.
The exciting event is the brainchild of the four-strong NI Hospice Belfast to Boston Marathon Team, which includes Stuart Kennedy, Peter White, Boston native, Eileen Jack and her husband, Daniel.
Commenting on the inspiration behind the glamorous event, Stuart Kennedy said:
“The Violet Ball promises to be a night to remember, with unforgettable entertainment, food and drinks, all set within the incomparable surrounds of Belfast City Hall.
“In addition to running the Boston Marathon in aid of Northern Ireland Hospice this April, we hope to raise £25,000 from the Violet ball to help the charity on the road to building its new state of the art adult hospice.”
Joanna Pawson, fundraising and marketing manager for the Northern Ireland Hospice added:
“We are so thankful for the support of the Lord Mayor of Belfast and our incredible Belfast to Boston marathon runners for their support in creating this wonderful event.
“Initiatives such as the Violet Ball will raise vital funds to help to turn the dream of a new Northern Ireland Hospice at Somerton Road into a reality.”
As part of their wider fundraising efforts, the NI Hospice Belfast to Boston Marathon team are also organising a 5k Between the Bridge run in June to help raise even more funds towards the rebuild of the Northern Ireland Hospice.
Tickets to the Violet Ball cost £100 each or £1,000 for a table of 10. For further information on the Violet Ball, visit www.nihospice.org or call 028 9077 7123.